Woman wrongly claimed £4000 under MERA scheme

Wednesday, 2 December 2020 13:51

26-year-old pleads guilty and fined

A Peel woman who wrongly claimed £4,000 under the government's coronavirus earnings replacement scheme has been fined.

Sarah Hallworth of Derby Road appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas courthouse.

She pleaded guilty to a single charge of failing to inform the Treasury about a change in her circumstances.

Prosecution advocate James Robinson told the court the 26-year-old had claimed money under the Manx Earnings Replacement Scheme from March.

Hallworth was given £200 per week from the government, but her employer claimed government wages assistance and began paying her.

However, she didn't tell benefits staff and continued to claim cash under the MERA scheme – she was overpaid a total of £4,000.

The court heard Hallworth had since repaid the money.

Mrs Hughes fined her £2,000 and ordered her to pay £50 in prosecution costs.

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